Malfuzat - Volume VII — Page 468
Malfuzat - English translation of Urdu Volume 7 468 I was thirsty and you did not give Me water; I was naked—you did not give Me clothes; I was sick—you did not visit Me. Then they will say, ‘O Almighty Allah! You are Holy, free from such things. So when were You like that, that we behaved in such a way?’ At this He will say, so-and-so servant of Mine was in this condition, but you did not treat him with any sympathy and compassion, and it was as if you treated Me like that. Therefore, showing compassion and sympathy to mankind is a great act of worship and it is a powerful means to gain the pleasure of Almighty Allah. Nevertheless, I see that immense weakness is shown in this regard. Others are looked down upon and mocked. To care for them and to help them in their distress or difficulty is a far cry. I am afraid that those who do not treat the poor in a benev- olent manner and, in fact, despise them, may fall into the same trouble themselves. Treating His creation with kindness and compassion is, in fact, the way for those who have been blessed by Almighty Allah to show their gratitude to Him. They should not show arrogance for the grace that God has bestowed upon them and should not be like uncivilized brutes who viciously beat the poor. Much Good Fortune is within Reach of the Poor Be well aware of what affluence is. Affluence is like eating poison. He alone can escape its effect who uses the antidote of compassion for the creation of Allah and is not arrogant. However, if he comes to boast and brag of it, then destruction is the consequence. If someone is thirsty and a well is nearby but he is too weak and poor to help himself and if a wealthy person is nearby but does not help him get the water merely out